After the release of revitalized riddim versions of the Techniques' rocksteady hit "You Don't Care" and Jackie Mittoo's Studio One instrumental "Mission Impossible", Bizzarri Records' third installment in their "Riddim Riders" series features the "Laba Laba" riddim. The latter harks back to the digital sound of the early 1990s, when Steely & Clevie were the most prominent riddim makers. At that time, Ragga - essentially reggae played entirely (or mostly) using digital instrumentation - was the most commercially successful music since the heyday of Bob Marley.

Produced by Leo Bizzarri and played by Marco "The Magista" Evangelista (keyboards) and Sid Gaetani (guitars), the fast-paced "Laba Laba" riddim turns out to be a guaranteed dancefloor filler. The infectious and very enjoyable backdrop features vocal cuts from Bizzarri Records' stalwart Lion D, Skarra Mucci, Ras Tewelde, Stevie Culture and (surprisingly) Ward 21. Lion D delivers a burner with his ganja song "Laba Laba", while the Ward 21 crew brings in some madness with their hard-hitting "Links Like Mine". Although it's hard to match these two tunes, Skarra Mucci fully succeeds to do so with "Dancehall Energy". All in all a great way to start this juggling set. The rest of the vocal efforts are also satisfying efforts with in particular Ras Tewelde's "Money", Jah Sun's "Mad Up The Place" and Stevie Culture's "Music Me Love" worth hearing more than once.

With a string of noteworthy releases in the past three years, Bizzarri Records from Modena, Italy, has established itself as a record label to keep an eye on, as is once again proven by this "Laba Laba Riddim" set.